How do you know when you need a more intensive treatment program than outpatient therapy?

devox

[(JD)]

I would say that if you are not safe, for yourself or for those who rely upon you, or if there's good indications that you may become unstable at any time, then you may wish to choose inpatient.

Hospitalization, as you may know, is really only for stablization. During inpatient you are stablized on medication, and an after exit treatment plan is made which includes scheduled appointment(s) with a therapist, monitoring of medication(s) and family roles in your treatment (often.)

If you are feeling unsafe (((devox))) please go to the ER. Nothing is worth losing your life over.

I guess it depends. If you are 'stuck' with outpatient therapy then sometimes clinician's might think that you could benefit from inpatient therapy. But sometimes a good comprimise can be to increase the frequency of outpatient sessions. How many therapy sessions do you have per week? One? Two? Three? Four? Five? Would it be an option to increase your outpatient therapy time?

Hard to say without knowing what the problem is... If it is about being 'stuck' then increasing the therapy can help with that.

If it is that you are behaviourally dysregulating... That you are becoming a potential danger to yourself or others then hospitalisation can help keep you safe through that for a bit. If you need a meds review or to change your meds or something like that.

What kind of inpatient therapy could you do? My experiences on the ward was that the therapy / treatment aspect of that really sucked. I got more therapy in an outpatient setting than I ever got in an inpatient setting... But maybe there is an inpatient program you are thinking about doing?

What are your thoughts and expectations of each?
It souns like you are thinking inptient treatment might be beneficial for you.

[Perna]

People tease me sometimes because I'll say I "need" something that is actually just a "want" and sounds silly expressed as a need. So, for me I think if I "want" to feel better and don't see any way to help myself, then I know I need more, outside help.

In - My - past experiences with hospitalizations it was the therapist that did the involluntary commitment and or brought up the issue when that therpist felt - MY - being hospitalized would benefit ME.

Also many of - MY - friends go into a hospital not just for stabilization they go into them because the facilitys can offer more in dept treatment options for example a person does not have to be unstable to enter Dr. Colin Ross facilities that teach clients how to manage their Dissociative Identity disorder (what DID is, What to do during flashbacks, panic attacks, losing time, getting lost, and so forth,) and work on in depth co consciousness and integration if the client want that.

Basically entering a hospital setting depends on what the client needs.

Local hospitals have a mental health unit for stabilization and a few group therapy options like the ones I was in had anger therapy group, depression therapy group, relaxation therapy group, drugs and alcohol therapy group, and one support group

Then there are specialty hospitals like Dr. Colin Ross facilities that work on specific disorders and problem.

So basically its up to you and your therapist if you need or want a hospital setting and what would benefit you.

[charlajustin]

Not trying to take over the thread. But, I have something to ask what if you feel like maybe, you need some time away from everything that might be antagonizing the problems you are having? Is inpatient treatment a good thing then?

[Sarah116]

When you are in danger of yourself and/orothers, I suppose.

[JonB]

As others have said. Inpatient is a must if you are a danger to yourself or others. If you just want time away from the outside world, it could be a good break. As for therapy, I agree with alexandra_k - I never had individual therapy any of the times I was an inpatient. There was some group stuff - mostly life skills and that sort of thing. There was no one on one therapy at all, and your therapist may not even be affiliated with the hospital which means he/she can't work with you there at all. It was great for regulating my meds quickly, but if it's more therapy you're looking for you might be better off just scheduling more time with your therapist. Good luck

[charlajustin]

Inpatient therapy almost sounds good to just get away from it and not have to worry about everything.

[JonB]

Could be. You can get away from some people, but you can't get away from yourself and you get a whole new batch of folks to bug you in whole new ways.

Also, be prepared to be bored, bored, bored. I always went back to heavy smoking in the hospital because there was nothing else to do except listen to the 4th lecture of the day on the importance of healthy eating and good sleep habits (like anyone can sleep in the hospital - you try getting a good nights sleep with your roommate who's detoxing.)

Still, some people who are willing to play the game and go to all the life skills classes and make collages and have someone watching your back at all times can probably get a lot out of it. I was just never one of those people myself.

I can see how a break from the stress of your life would be appealing. Just remember, you have to go back out there sometime - so you'd better spend your time as an inpatient figuring out what you're going to do when you get dumped back in the middle of it.

Good luck with it. And definitely check out your hospital before hand and know what you're getting into. Of course, you can always ask the opinion of your dr or therapist. Cheers...